The NBA playoffs are finally here, and Sporting News intends to provide you with every news item that is fit to post in a live blog.

Thunder-Grizzlies

(AP Photo)

10:13 pm: Picked up on waivers by the Grizzlies some time ago, Beno Udrih became a source of conversation for the first time since he played in sleeved jerseys for the New York Knicks.

Back then, Udrih was trying to find excuses for his poor outside shooting. He doesn't need such excuses these days, as he posted 14 points midway through the fourth quarter and played a part in the Grizzlies lead over the Thunder in Oklahoma City.

9:33 pm: It could be a problem for Memphis that Kevin Durant is kicking back and allowing Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka to steer the ship and the score is still close.

Westbrook has been absolutely brilliant on offense and Ibaka has manned the backline of the Thunder defense as only he could, erasing every shot within arm's length. We've yet to reach the fourth quarter, and we all know that's where Durant makes his money.

8:28 pm: Jalen Rose doesn't call Russell Westbrook "Furious Styles" for nothing. He brings a relentless approach to the game at all times, even after the whistle, it turns out.

Kendrick Perkins' bas screen nearly robbed us of one of those perfect Westbrook moments. Per the usual, when Westbrook spotted an open lane, he attacked. Furiously. Westbrook took off and dunked with power. Too bad it didn't count. We can still marvel at the man's athleticism, though.

8:00 pm: Monday night started the way Sunday night ended, with Charles Barkley providing comic relief with a little bit of truth mixed in. Barkley focused in on the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. The Knicks fired Mike Woodson, who was a lame duck for much of the season. Barkley didn't agree with the treatment either coaches received, and noted that he believes many players to be idiots now that he is forced to be objective.

In actuality, coaches take the blame because players can't be fired. Contracts are guaranteed and the NBPA will never go back on that. This will not become the NFL, where players are much more expendable. With that fact in mind, it's easy to understand why coaches become the fall guys. Barkley surely understands this as well.